WASHINGTON, Dec. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- The population of the United States rose by 2.8 million to 296.4 million on July 1, 2005, an increase of 0.9 percent from July 1, 2004, the Census Bureau announced Thursday.

    California, with 36.1 million people in 2005, remained the most populous state, followed by Texas (22.9 million) and New York (19.3 million).

    More people live the South than in any other region, according the bureau's latest estimates. The South accounts for 36 percent of the nation's total population, with the West comprising 23 percent, the Midwest 22 percent and the Northeast 18 percent.

    Florida experienced the largest numerical population increase between 2004 and 2005, as its population rose by 404,000 people to about 17.79 million, and was followed by Texas, which gained 388,000 people.

    Nevada, for the 19th consecutive year, was the fastest growing state in the country, with its population increasing by 3.5 percent over the one-year period to about 2.4 million.

    The U.S. population may hit 300 million in 2007. Enditem